“It would be a huge honour to represent my country at the Paralympics. It is something I have trained very hard for and set a very Big Dream a long time ago. It would give me a sense of pride and accomplishment.
It will allow me to become a role model for both able body and para athletes and our community as a whole. It would help me make change , awareness and make a significant impact for inclusiveness and change people’s attitudes towards people with different impairments. It will also allow me to make awareness for others with mental health & wellbeing issues. Everyone has a right to feel supported and listened to no matter what journey they are on. It would make me a very proud young Australian women.”
A national prodigy, Montana Atkinson has already accomplished so much in her career. Between setting state records and collecting three gold medals, two silver, and one bronze at the Australian Age Swimming Championships 2023, the 16-year-old has had her accomplishments recognised in becoming the Swimming Gold Coast Awards’ Female Para Swimmer of the Year and being named the 2021 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Woman of the Year Champion of Sport.
Originally hailing from Oyster Bay Sydney and now residing on the Gold Coast, Atkinson was first drawn to swimming after an accident left her unable to return to contact sport. Highly motivated, Atkinson cites fellow Australian swimming star Shayna Jack’s fight against reactive depression and return to competition as inspiration for her own continued efforts to push forward and pursue her ambitions. With her dream of becoming a Para Dolphin within her sights, Atkinson dedicates her time outside of the pool to making a difference in her community, aiming to inspire young people like herself to chase their own dreams.
Having proven herself against Australia’s best, Atkinson is now ready to take on the world. Recently selected to compete alongside 19 other premier athletes in Madeira, Portugal as part of the 2024 Para Swimming European Championships, Atkinsons seems destined to do exactly that. This event also serves as a critical step in eligibility for trialling the Paris Paralympics for those who did not participate in last year’s World Championship event. Please join Harvey Norman in cheering Atkinson on this season.
Now an official brand ambassador, Harvey Norman are proud to support Atkinson as she strives to compete as a Paralympic Swimmer. You can keep up to date with Atkinson by following her journey on Instagram or LinkedIn where she posts and interacts with fans regularly.